The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially announced the schedule for the upcoming Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024. These elections will play a pivotal role in shaping the future political landscape of both states.
Maharashtra will go to the polls on November 20, while Jharkhand will hold elections in two phases, on November 13 and November 20. The counting of votes in both states will take place on November 23, 2024. Here’s a deep dive into the election process, the contesting alliances, and what’s at stake for each state.
Key Election Dates and Filing Information
Maharashtra Election Dates 2024:
- Date of Gazette Notification: October 22, 2024
- Last Date for Filing Nominations: October 29, 2024
- Scrutiny of Nominations: October 30, 2024
- Last Date for Withdrawal of Candidature: November 4, 2024
- Polling Date: November 20, 2024
- Result Announcement: November 23, 2024
The term of the current 288-member Maharashtra assembly ends on November 26, 2024.
Jharkhand Election Dates 2024:
- Phase 1 Polling: November 13, 2024
- Phase 2 Polling: November 20, 2024
- Result Announcement: November 23, 2024
The term of the 81-member Jharkhand assembly ends on January 5, 2025.
Major Political Alliances and Key Contestants
Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024:
In Maharashtra, the political scene is dominated by two major alliances:
- Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA):
- Composed of Shiv Sena (UBT faction led by Uddhav Thackeray), the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), and the Indian National Congress.
- The alliance will focus on criticizing the split in Shiv Sena and the alleged weakening of regional governance under the current regime.
- Mahayuti Alliance:
- Led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), this alliance includes the Shiv Sena faction under Eknath Shinde and the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party.
- The BJP will try to defend its incumbency, despite losing ground in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year.
The contest will focus on key issues like economic development, farmers’ welfare, and the state’s infrastructure.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024:
In Jharkhand, the political battleground will be equally competitive:
- Incumbent Government:
- Chief Minister Hemant Soren, representing the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), is battling multiple challenges, including allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
- His alliance with the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) seeks to retain control amidst growing opposition pressure.
- BJP-led Opposition:
- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will aim for a comeback by leveraging anti-incumbency sentiments and criticizing the Soren government’s handling of key issues like governance, tribal rights, and economic growth.
What’s at Stake in 2024?
Maharashtra:
- In 2019, BJP emerged as the single largest party with 105 seats, while the Congress only managed 44 seats. However, the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance took control of the state following post-election negotiations.
- The 2024 election is a crucial battleground for BJP and its allies after a significant drop in Lok Sabha performance earlier this year. While BJP secured 9 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, its earlier tally stood at 23 seats.
Jharkhand:
- Jharkhand’s politics will focus on tribal rights, governance, and issues of unemployment and development.
- The BJP is expected to strongly oppose Hemant Soren’s administration, highlighting issues related to law and order and corruption. The JMM-Congress alliance will need to defend its track record to avoid anti-incumbency backlash.
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Conclusion
Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024, are gearing up for highly competitive elections. While Maharashtra sees the clash of two strong alliances, the battle in Jharkhand revolves around governance and leadership under Hemant Soren. As the polling dates approach, voter turnout, campaign strategies, and local issues will play a significant role in determining the outcomes. Stay tuned for the results on November 23, 2024, which will ultimately shape the political future of these two key Indian states.
